Chelsea hosts Rennes as the Blues round out the first half of the Champions League group stage matches, what are some things to look for?
Chelsea welcomes Ligue 1’s Stade Rennais to Stamford Bridge on Wednesday for the third match of the Champions League group stage. This will be the first competitive meeting between the two historic clubs and it comes in Rennes’ UCL debut season. Despite the fact the sides have yet to face off against one another on the pitch, they share some history. The most notable person to wear each badge is goalkeeping legend Petr Cech.
Rennes has taken a point from the first two matches, whereas the Blues have four. A win would likely keep Chelsea atop the group, but nothing is guaranteed in football. There are a few decisions and factors that will impact the Blues’ performance under the bright lights in west London. All of that being said, what are some of the things to look for in the match?
1. Edouard Mendy’s performance against his former club
As Chelsea prepares for its first tie against Rennes in Group E, nobody in the side is more ready than the new No. 1 goalkeeper. Edouard Mendy has been a sensation since arriving at Stamford Bridge just over a month ago, both with supporters and teammates. The Senegalese shot stopper has played in just six games for the Blues, but has kept five clean sheets and only let in one goal. Mendy’s mere presence has instilled a certain confidence in the back line not seen previously. The difference between this year and last is night and day.
All of that being said, he’s best suited to take on Chelsea’s next opponent. Rennes was Mendy’s home up until late September. There, he played in 34 games with the French squad. Suffice it to say, he knows the Blues’ next foes better than anybody. The sensation between the sticks has yet to concede a goal in the Champions League this season, he’s not looking to start any time soon.
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2. Frank Lampard’s rotated team
Chelsea fans have likely heard the term “congested fixture list” ad nauseam throughout the beginning of the 2020/21 season. However, as annoying as the phrase may be, it is becoming a real issue for European teams this year. Managers like Pep Guardiola have already expressed their concerns with the fixtures coming fast and furious, and it’s likely other managers will publicly back him in coming weeks. Players have shown signs of fatigue already, it’s not long until injuries begin to take their toll either. Luckily, at least one of European football’s governing bodies has its intentions in line—well, sort of.
UEFA—along with a majority of football associations across the continent—expanded the bench and granted teams five substitutes for this season’s competitions. This helps athletes stay relatively fresh and is designed to combat common injuries associated with physical exhaustion. Why does any of this matter though?
Players like Kai Havertz, Mason Mount and Timo Werner have seldom gotten to rest this season. All three have looked incredibly sluggish lately and all could use a day or so off. Enter the midweek match against Rennes. The five substitute rule gives a bit of flexibility to Frank Lampard. Whereas managers would usually turn to their strongest XI in matches like these, that likely won’t be the case on Wednesday. The expanded guidelines around subs are a luxury Lampard can afford to gamble on. The young manager can start some of his back-up players and hope they can hold their own against one of the weaker opponents in Group E. He’s got five changes to steer the ship back in the right direction if things don’t go as planned. Therefore, Chelsea fans can expect to see players like Emerson, Olivier Giroud, Callum Hudson-Odoi and perhaps even Fikayo Tomori.
3. Can the Blues finish a strong first half with an emphatic win?
Chelsea currently sits atop Group E, holding the advantage on goals with Sevilla. The Blues also haven’t won their group either of the last two times they’ve been in the competition. In order to remain on the right track, Lampard’s side has to take all three points from the home tie versus Rennes. A victory would likely leave the west London side heading into the back half of the group stage matches sitting atop the group with seven points. In all likelihood, it would also mean the Blues would only have to win one of their final three matches to get through. Nothing is guaranteed, but it certainly helps when a team puts itself in a position to succeed.
Chelsea has gotten a pass in years past for sub-par Champions League performances. However, finishing second in the group and exiting in the Round of 16 are no longer acceptable after all the money Roman Abramovich backed Lampard with during the summer. The Blues need results.
Taking three points from this match and finishing the first half of the premier European competition’s group stage unbeaten would be massive in terms of positioning. It would also do wonders for the team’s morale. A strong finish approaching the midway point is required, but can Chelsea pull it off?
What are three things you’ll be looking for in the match? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter!